LOVEBLOCK WINE
New Zealand
Back in 2004, the area to become Loveblock vineyards was still a wild piece of land, untamed and hidden from the world. Kim and Erica Crawford have both been working in the wine industry for most of their lives and wondered what they could accomplish with this terrain: how would the unique terroir translate to flavors in wine? Could they make wine that is elegant, restrained and complex? Wine that speaks of its place and a season. The short answer is yes!
In New Zealand, land is precious; the economy largely depends on agriculture. As grape growers and wine farmers, we are custodians of this land. We must take care of it, restore soil balance and fertility without commercial fertilizers and chemical protection. At Loveblock, they have understood that the rhythm of the land is immoveable, that they need to submit to it and respect it in order to get the most from it.
The Crawfords’ want to make the best wine. Wine that speaks with the voice of naked terroir. “To do this I hired the best winemaker I know. Let me show you around Loveblock and introduce you to our people,” says Erica. These are special wines from special people.
Pale with golden touches. Elegant aromas of rockmelon yield to layers of chamomile and citrus. Beautiful prosciutto-wrapped melon, Nashi pear and fruit notes are underscored with lingering texture, mouthfeel and linear acidity. The palate is complex, finishing with hints of wet stone minerality. A wine to enjoy with delicate Asian flavors, seafood of all sorts or just simply by itself.
Pale straw with a hint of green and gold. Complex and elegant Sauvignon Blanc bouquet, with pineapple, guava and sweet meadow grass aromas. Rounded and textured, with pineapple, tropical fruit and a sweet basil edge followed by ripe peach on the back palate. A chalky minerality and complexity complements the fruit. Oysters, seafood, pasta and chicken pair well. No sulphur or ascorbic acid were used in the vineyard as per organic winemaking practices.
Green tea extract is used as a preservative. This wine displays lifted aromas of lemon verbena, saffron, orange peel and ruby red grapefruit, followed by a vibrant, green-edged herbaceous layer and some earthy cumin tones. The palate is elegant, with juicy white peach and citrus complemented by fresh acidity and a mild tannin note. Layered and textured, the wine has a crisp, lingering minerality on the finish. WS 92
The Pinot Noir grapes come from the family-owned estate on the Bendigo Loop Road in Central Otago. Fleshy black plum, with layers of cherry and sweet berries that play on the palate and dance with hints of violet and savory notes. Dry tannins and hints of cigar make this a versatile wine to pair with turkey, salmon, lamb and beef. This wine can be cellared for a decade or more to come.
D 92
Classic perfume of rosewater and Turkish delight, with a touch of jasmine and orange zest. Hints of guava, sweet mandarin, and blood orange on the palate. Finishes with rounded texture and nice acid tension. The perfect accompaniment to the spice and subtle sweetness of Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, or a funky cheese.
Pale with golden touches. Elegant aromas of rockmelon yield to layers of chamomile and citrus. Beautiful prosciutto-wrapped melon, Nashi pear and fruit notes are underscored with lingering texture, mouthfeel and linear acidity. The palate is complex, finishing with hints of wet stone minerality. A wine to enjoy with delicate Asian flavors, seafood of all sorts or just simply by itself.
Treated like a chardonnay after primary fermentation, the wine underwent full malolactic fermentation on gross lees and was stirred every two weeks. Pale with golden touches. Delicate aromas of peach and juicy citrus notes underscored with passionfruit and a hint of oak. The palate is elegant and restrained, with peach combining with citrus flavours and fresh acidity. The wine has lingering, layered minerality and texture, with some yeasty notes increasing the mouthfeel. Perfect accompaniment to the spice and sweetness of Asian cuisine.
Classic perfume of rosewater and Turkish delight, with a touch of jasmine and orange zest. Hints of guava, sweet mandarin, and blood orange on the palate. Finishes with rounded texture and nice acid tension. The perfect accompaniment to the spice and subtle sweetness of Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, or a funky cheese.
Palest straw with hints of green. Hints of lime and honey underscored by an inherent flintiness and developing aged Riesling characteristics. The back palate explodes with lemon and lime notes. The mid-palate is warm with a hint of spice and a touch of honey backed by stony minerality and linear acidity. Sushi, sashimi, or the delicate flavors of Japanese and Asian food pair well with this wine.
Pale with golden touches. Elegant aromas of rockmelon yield to layers of chamomile and citrus. Beautiful prosciutto-wrapped melon, Nashi pear and fruit notes are underscored with lingering texture, mouthfeel and linear acidity. The palate is complex, finishing with hints of wet stone minerality. A wine to enjoy with delicate Asian flavors, seafood of all sorts or just simply by itself.
This wine was fortified in true Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise style with grain alcohol and is not overly sweet, especially with the aging on this wine. It has gentle aromas of sloe berries and dried fruit with hints of pink grapefruit. The wine unfolds with creamy apple pie, honey, rosewater and mandarin. Its crisp acidity ensures a clean, lively finish.
Green tea extract is used as a preservative. This wine displays lifted aromas of lemon verbena, saffron, orange peel and ruby red grapefruit, followed by a vibrant, green-edged herbaceous layer and some earthy cumin tones. The palate is elegant, with juicy white peach and citrus complemented by fresh acidity and a mild tannin note. Layered and textured, the wine has a crisp, lingering minerality on the finish.
D 91
No sulphur or ascorbic acid were used in the vineyard as per organic winemaking practices. Pale straw with a hint of green and gold. Complex and elegant Sauvignon Blanc bouquet, with pineapple, guava and sweet meadow grass aromas. Rounded and textured, with pineapple, tropical fruit and a sweet basil edge followed by ripe peach on the back palate. A chalky minerality and complexity complements the fruit. Oysters, seafood, pasta and chicken pair well.
D 94